A couple stand accused of defrauding 21 schools and businesses out of more than £176,000.
Aliu and Olayide Adebayo, from Maidstone, are facing charges over the alleged mandate fraud.
Between 2016 and 2019, emails sent to clients containing invoices were allegedly intercepted, with the bank account details being changed.
The money would be paid to those bank accounts, leaving the businesses without payment.
Kent Police began an investigation after victims from across the UK reported not having received the payments – with the clients believing they had paid their bills.
Communications inquiries were carried out, which identified the email addresses that were being used to intercept the invoices.
Search warrants were carried out at the addresses in Kent, London and Sussex, and three suspects were arrested.
Aliu Adebayo, 33, of Jester Way, has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, fraud by false representation, possession of articles for use in fraud, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property and unauthorised access to a computer to facilitate the commission of an offence.
Olayide Adebayo, 35, of Jester Way, has been charged with fraud by false representation and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
Peter Kaffo, 35, of Coombe Hill in Billingshurst, West Sussex, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, fraud by false representation, possession of articles for use in fraud, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
Kaffo appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on July 4 and has been released on bail until his next appearance at the same court on September 19.
The Adebayos are due to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on August 22.
